The quintessential symbol of American hominess, the classic picket fence remains a perennial favorite for more than its charm and good looks. It’s also a deceptively effective boundary, creating a clear line of separation while appearing to be nothing more than a familiar decoration. This unique characteristic of a welcoming barrier makes the picket fence a good choice for enclosing an area in front of the house. It’s also a popular option for separating a vegetable or flower garden from the surrounding landscape.

Building a custom picket fence from scratch is a great do-it-yourself project. The small scale and simple structure of the basic fence design make it easy to add your own creative details and personal touches. In this project, you’ll see how to cut custom pickets and build a fence using standard lumber (plus an easy upgrade of adding decorative post caps). As an alternative, you can build your fence using prefab fence panels for the picket infill. You can also buy pre-cut pickets at home centers, lumberyards, and online retailers to save on the work of cutting your own.

Traditionally, a picket fence is about three to four feet tall (if taller than four feet, a picket fence starts to look like a barricade) with 1 × 3 or 1 × 4 pickets. Fence posts can be spaced anywhere up to eight feet apart if you’re using standard lightweight pickets. Depending on your preference, the posts can be visible design elements or they can hide behind a continuous line of pickets. Spacing between the pickets is a question of function and taste: go with whatever spacing looks best and fulfills your functional needs.

A low picket fence adds curb appeal and a cozy sense of enclosure to a front yard or entry area without blocking views to or from the house.

Calculating Picket Spacing

Determine the picket quantity and spacing. Cut a few pickets and experiment with different spacing to find the desired (approximate) gap between pickets. Calculate the precise gap dimension and number of pickets needed for each section using the formula shown in the example here:

How to Build a Picket Fence

Install and trim the posts according to your plan. In this project, the pickets stand at 36" above grade, and the posts are 38" (without the post caps). Set the posts in concrete, and space them as desired—but no more than 96" on center.

Mark the stringer positions onto the posts. Measure down from each post top and make marks at 8 and 281⁄2" (or as desired for your design). These marks represent the top edges of the two stringer boards for each fence section.

Install the stringers. Measure between each pair of posts, and cut the 2 × 4 stringers to fit. Drill angled pilot holes, and fasten the stringers to the posts with 31⁄2" deck screws or 16d galvanized common nails; drive one fastener in the bottom and top edges of each stringer end.

Cut the pickets to length using a power miter saw. To save time, set up a stop block with the distance from the block to blade equal to the picket length.

Tip: If you’re painting the fence, you can save money by cutting the pickets from 12-ft.‑long boards of pressure-treated lumber. In this project, the pickets are 32" long; each board yields 4 pickets.

Shape the picket ends as desired. For straight-cut designs, use a miter saw with a stop block on the right side of the blade (the first pass cuts through the picket and the block). If the shape is symmetrical, such as this 90° point, cut off one corner, and then flip the board over and make the second cut—no measuring or adjusting is needed.

Variation: To cut pickets with decorative custom shapes, create a cardboard or hardboard template with the desired shape. Trace the shape onto each picket and make the cuts. Use a jigsaw for curved cuts. Gang several cut pieces together for final shaping with a sander.

Prime or seal all surfaces of the posts, stringers, and pickets; and then add at least one coat of finish (paint, stain, or sealer), as desired. This will help protect even the unexposed surfaces from rot.

Set up a string line to guide the picket installation. Clamp a mason’s string to two posts at the desired height for the tops of the pickets.

Note: To help prevent rot and to facilitate grass trimming, plan to install the pickets at least 2" above the ground.

Install the pickets. Using a cleat spacer cut to the width of the picket gap, set each picket in place and drill even pairs of pilot holes into each stringer. Fasten the pickets with 2" deck screws. Check the first picket (and every few thereafter) for plumb with a level before piloting.

Add the post caps. Wood post caps (with or without metal cladding) offer an easy way to dress up plain posts while protecting the end grain from water. Install caps with galvanized or stainless steel finish nails, or as directed by the manufacturer. Apply the final finish coat or touch-ups to the entire fence.

Important safety information

To reduce the risk of personal injury and property damage, read and follow all related product manufacturers instruction manuals and information before performing any of the applications shown. Some construction-related applications shown may not be allowed in your local area. Consult your local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) before starting work for information on permits, applicable codes, and other regulations. Black & Decker disclaims any responsibility for any damage to property or injury to persons as a result of misuse of the information provided.

Connect With Us

Join Our Mailing List

Sign up to receive the latest info on new BLACK+DECKER products, special offers and more.

First Name*

Last Name*

Email Address*

Are you a Canadian resident?*

YesNo

By signing up you agree to receive emails from BLACK+DECKER with news, special offers, promotions and other messages to your interests. You can unsubscribe at any time. See Privacy Policy or contact BLACK+DECKER at support.blackanddecker@sbdinc.com or 6275 Millcreek Drive, Mississauga, ON L5N 7K6, for more information.

By signing up you agree to receive emails from BLACK+DECKER with news, special offers, promotions and other messages to your interests. You can unsubscribe at any time. See Privacy Policy or contact BLACK+DECKER at support.blackanddecker@sbdinc.com or 701 E. Joppa Road, Towson, Maryland 21286, for more information.